In accordance with applicable law, we are required to maintain the confidentiality of your protected health information and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to such information. This summary describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed by Dr. Emma Wu and other healthcare providers at Dr. Emma Wu & Associates. A complete Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes your rights and our legal obligations, has been provided to you.
TREATMENT, PAYMENT, HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS:
We may use and disclose your protected health information for purposes of treatment and to obtain reimbursement for the treatments and services you received from us or from another entity involved in your care. Payment-related activities may include billing, collections, claims management, and determinations of eligibility and coverage to obtain payment from you, your insurance provider, or another third party.
AUTHORIZATION FOR USE AND DISCLOSURE INVOLVING YOUR CARE OR PAYMENT:
We may disclose your health information to family members, friends, or other individuals identified by you who are involved in your care or in the payment for your care. We may also disclose your health information to a patient representative. If an individual has legal authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, we will treat that individual in the same manner as we would treat you with respect to your protected health information, in accordance with applicable law.
USES AND DISCLOSURES FOR APPOINTMENT REMINDERS:
We may use and disclose your protected health information to contact you as a reminder of an appointment at our office. If you request that such communications be made in a confidential manner or by alternative means, please notify our office in writing. We will accommodate all reasonable requests.
PUBLIC HEALTH, RESEARCH, HEALTH AND SAFETY, GOVERNMENT, WORKS COMPENSATION:
We may disclose your information for public health activities, research, health and safety, governmental function, and in order to comply with workers compensation laws and regulations.
SPECIAL PROTECTIONS FOR Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) RECORDS:
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) records are protected under 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPPA. Any SUD-related information disclosed to this dental practice will be limited to oral-health-related considerations, such as medication interactions, anesthesia risk, and infection control, and may be redisclosed as permitted by HIPPA. However, such records cannot be used in legal proceedings against the patient without specific consent or a court order.
RIGHTS:
You have a right to inspect and copy information used to make decisions about your care, to request an amendment of the information, to request an accounting of disclosures, to request communication with you by alternate means, to request restrictions on the information we use, and to revoke your authorization for release of your information.
QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS:
If you would like additional information regarding our privacy practices, or if you have questions or concerns, please contact the Privacy Officer at (978) 686-2223
